In Star Calendar 5139, a star disappeared from the universe forever.
But within this sea of stars that was nearly infinite to life, the fall of a single star seemed rather ordinary.
In this sea of stars, such things were common.
Even if it were not this world, the demise of a star definitely could not be considered a major event, even if civilization existed on that planet, even if… it had been incorporated into the trade territory of the Interastral Peace Corporation.
But… this was only the beginning.
After that, more and more fallen stars were observed.
The reasons for these planets’ downfall varied.
Some were due to internal strife on the planet, some were due to invasion by foreign enemies, and some were due to upheavals within their star systems.
And while these planets were being observed, naturally, people would also go investigate the specific causes behind their fall.
Some were IPC scholars, some were private detectives, some were Memokeepers from the Garden of Recollection, and some were even Masked Fools who came over to watch the show because there was fun to be had.
As people investigated these planets, an extremely subtle commonality was gradually unearthed.
That was, whenever a planet stepped into its “final end,” there would always be a white-haired, golden-eyed man standing upon the devastated earth.
He would calmly watch the world’s collapse, and ultimately “die” along with the world.
In the observable histories of certain planets’ destruction, the number of times this man appeared reached an astonishing one hundred and forty-nine.
In other words, at least one hundred and forty-nine worlds had perished under this mysterious man’s watch.
In Star Calendar 6285, a scholar from the Intelligentsia Guild compiled all reports of destroyed planets from the past ten Amber Eras and began cooperating with the Garden of Recollection.
After years of simulations using memory models, they finally arrived at an astonishing conclusion.
Within the Universe, a “Witness of Destruction” seemed to have appeared.
The “Destruction” referred to here was not the Path of Destruction, but the final end that a world eventually entered.
Whenever a world showed “signs” that it was about to perish, this “Witness of Destruction” would appear in that world out of thin air.
He would not take any action that harmed the world.
He would simply remain in that world and personally witness the world’s “end.” He did not bring “Destruction,” but he personally witnessed “Destruction.” And because his appearance with white hair and golden eyes truly bore some resemblance to a certain [Aeon of Destruction], most people treated him as “Nanook’s” incarnation in the mortal realm.
The Interastral Peace Corporation officially named him “The Watcher,” while the Xianzhou Alliance called him “Incineration Avatar.” As for certain unofficial titles such as “God of World Destruction” and “Wings of Death,” there was no need to elaborate further here.
Now, in Star Calendar 6300, this “Watcher of Destruction” had appeared without warning on the Xianzhou Cangcheng, one of the seven ships of the Xianzhou Alliance.
This was also the first recorded discovery before the destruction of a civilization after the theoretical concept of “Witness of Destruction” was formed.
With more than one hundred and fifty destroyed worlds before this as “examples,” no one in the entire Universe dared to underestimate the weight of this “Incineration Avatar.” The moment he appeared, Cangcheng made preparations for the worst.
Although they did not know what they would face next, or in what form the imminent “Destruction” would appear, the Xianzhou Alliance still wanted to break this “Incineration Avatar’s” “prophecy of destruction.” At this very moment, Cangcheng seemed to have become the focus of the entire Universe.
Countless pairs of eyes began to watch this place closely, as if waiting for the “theory” to be “verified.” And the existence that had caused this entire tense atmosphere was now leisurely lying on the ridge of a wheat field, as if that nearly “fated” destruction had nothing to do with him.
Inside the General’s Residence.
“General, what should we do next?
Should we inform the people of Cangcheng…” The person in charge of Cangcheng’s Sky-Faring Commission looked at the “man” resting on the field ridge in the projection, his eyes filled with concern.
This battle for Cangcheng was already set in stone, and within the Xianzhou, there were still tens of billions of living people.
Although they did not yet know what kind of calamity they were about to suffer, for the sake of the people, preparations still had to be made as early as possible.
“Mm…” Hearing this, the Cangcheng General slowly put down the divination from the Xianzhou Yuque in his hand.
At this moment… his decision concerned the lives of Cangcheng’s tens of billions of people.
But… the enemy was still unknown, and rashly issuing orders could very likely cause Cangcheng to fall into a place beyond redemption.
Yet if they remained stagnant… Advancing brought worry, retreating brought worry as well… This battle-hardened general slowly closed his pair of tiger-like eyes.
When he opened them again, those bloodshot eyes were already filled with exhaustion.
“How long until the Luofu arrives?” “Estimated… thirteen system hours!
Also… the Yaoqing has passed the Alliance vote as well, and is expected to arrive in fifteen system hours!” “What about those people from the Interastral Peace Corporation?” “They said they won’t interfere in the Xianzhou’s internal affairs, but they will help Cangcheng provide as much information as possible about the current star region.” “Hehe… They say with their mouths that they’re as close as family with the Alliance, but when it’s time to reveal the truth, they stand more neutral than anyone.” The Cangcheng General shook his head, a trace of bitterness in his smile.
“What about those Abominations of Abundance?
What are their movements?” “Reporting to the General, those guys still show no trace at this moment.” “Hehe… staying still at a time like this doesn’t match those abominations’ style.” “Clang!” The Cangcheng General lightly hammered his fist onto the tabletop, his gaze looking down at everyone inside the General’s Residence.
“Pass down my order.
Starting immediately, Cangcheng will enter first-class alert.
Mobilize all lifeboats within Cangcheng’s territory and prepare to transport the people at the final moment.
At the same time, notify the masses to head to shelters and preserve Cangcheng’s foundation.” “Lastly… Divination Commission, if Cangcheng cannot be saved, then I will have to trouble you to guide a light arrow from The Reignbow Arbiter… to sever immortality!” … Wen Jin, who was lying on the ridge of the field, seemed to sense something.
He gently sat up, stretched the joints and tendons in his body, then lazily yawned.
He slowly raised his head and looked at the blue sky before him.
Under that blue sky, everything seemed so carefree and at ease.
Unfortunately, that azure sky would soon be replaced by a crimson star, but perhaps this time… He turned his head slightly and looked toward the edge of the wheat field.
A tall figure was standing there at this moment.
Just by standing there, he was enough to fill one’s heart with a sense of safety.
Feeling the powerful aura on the newcomer, Wen Jin smiled freely.
It seemed that this time… really was a little different.
After all, in the previous worlds, no “big shot” had ever specially come to meet an insignificant “minor character” like him.
That burly man sensed Wen Jin’s gaze.
Without dodging or avoiding it, he slowly walked toward him, finally stopping five steps away.
“I am the Cangcheng General.
Greetings, [Lord of Extinction]!” That burly man bent down and cupped his hands toward Wen Jin with extreme respect.
“…” “Who?” Hearing this, Wen Jin raised his brow in confusion.
“I am the Cangcheng…” “No, I mean the one after that.” “[Lord of Extinction]?” “Yes.” Looking at Wen Jin’s baffled expression, the Cangcheng General laughed heartily, then explained to him in an even tone.
“Of course, this [Lord of Extinction] refers to you!” “After all, with your appearance, combined with that seemingly fated omen, if you said you had no connection to [Lord of Extinction], I definitely wouldn’t believe it.” “…” Wen Jin lifted his head and looked at that mighty face.
For some reason, a sudden urge to punch him surged up in his heart.
★ ★ ★ T/N: If you spot mistranslation, do tell me.
★ ★ ★ Shilling time!